TheunsH wrote:Nowadays spotlights irritate me as well. Sometimes, especially in bigger camps, all the spotlights reminds me of a scene in London during the Second World War where huge spotlights were used to try and spot the arrival of the Luftwaffe!

If I hear anything close to the fence I just lift my paraffin Dietz lantern high to try and see what is out there and usually I can't see anything so I just return to the peace and quiet of my braai!

I think it is only "fair" that the animals get a bit of peace during the night when we are all locked up behind the camp fences

Hi Glen, sunset drives are OK, but they have to be back in camp before dark. Night drives are also OK, but they must ban the spotlights and use lanterns for spotting instead...much more "friendly" on the animal eyes!

Hi Glen, sunset drives are OK, but they have to be back in camp before dark. Night drives are also OK, but they must ban the spotlights and use lanterns for spotting instead...much more "friendly" on the animal eyes!

I will certainly be more discreet with the use of spotlights in the bigger camps now after our experience with our neighbours but my feelings are if the animals were so unhappy with the lights, would they still come and patrol the fences?Ok I know its because they have got used to being fed by visitors who choose not to obey the rules, so to them its worth the inconvenience? The same could also apply for night and sunset drives, the animals can hear the truck coming from a long way off and could easily move away if they really didn't like the lights.But I am not in agreement at all with lights being shone in their eyes and would always prefer the infra red route if possible.

I am not if favour of ending sunset/night drives!!! All I was trying to say is the following: When using a spotlight try to be a little sensible, don't shine it in the trees if you are looking for something on the ground,don"t shine it in the animals eyes, don't use the spot light continually it is not a toy GlenD

I am not if favour of ending sunset/night drives!!! All I was trying to say is the following: When using a spotlight try to be a little sensible, don't shine it in the trees if you are looking for something on the ground,don"t shine it in the animals eyes, don't use the spot light continually it is not a toy GlenD

Seriously tent dweler To Quote myself "I currently only really use the peripheral light from the beam when looking at something" Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:34 am" I am well aware of how to use a spotlight in the bush thank you, so no need to attack!!

The question was merely posed in response to some posts as night drives make use of spotlights.

Spotlights are big, heavy and unwieldy, not recommended when on foot. A small LED flashlight with an output of around 300 lumens is more than sufficient. It weighs next to nothing and you can slip into any pocket. With a rechargeable lithium battery it is cheap to run, and if you get one with variable output it will last 60+ hours between charges.

From time to time I do quite a bit of walking at night in an unfenced B5 area, and find that such a flashlight is quite sufficient to move around safely. Being small, I can always have it with me, so do not run the risk of being caught without when I need it.